The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-06-10

There are two things in life aman ough'
not to forget, that which he sees with his
own eye, and the traditions Of his fore
fathers-
In the first instance he should not see
in false light; in the second place, he
should not Pervert the traditions.
The public would have been posted on
the facts herein contained some weeks
ago had it not been for the extreme pow
erty Of the country. You see the papers
have been crowded with tax sales and
there has been no room for such as this
With these introductory remarks l will
commence my narrative.
Some time ago, no matter just when, il
was my good OF bad 6ortnDeto board the
upbound train on the Gulf Colorado and
Santa Fc road for the West.
Il was the first time had ever been ov-
er the road in this direction, and looked.
The country leaving Brentwood is not
the prettiest in the world, being covered
with sernbby growth OF postoak timber.
As you proceed further, however, you
ind the country becomes more rolling,
less timber OF the kind mentioned, more
live oak, more grass better farms, aud al.
together more inviting to the eye.
Il is but 4 short run from Brentwood
10 Santa Anna mountains. There is lit
tie town at the foot OF the mountain and
its name is Santa Anna too. But speak
Of the mountain first and the town next,
as the latter only occupies a secondary
position Santa Anna mountains have a
traditional. legendary history. There
are two Of them and a gap between them,
through which a wagon road now runs.
ItsJust three-fOurths of a mile around
the larger one of tie two. The other one
is something over one-half mile in cit
conference. The sides Of the mountain
On either Of them, slope up gradually I'M
I'll they near tine crown, when nothing but
q wall Of rock is seen. This is carved out
by the hand Of nature in graceful curves,
IA and out, and much of it especially at
the immediate crown, is cut and fashion
cd like the eorniee of great building. At
the termination Of the rock, there is an
earth deposit over the whole surface, as a
II covering for the reception of seeds and
the growth Of vegetation.
There art rough points and craggy, pre-
options bluffs in places on the borders of
the mountain, One of these is called Low
eris Leap, and its traditional history is
as startling as it is singular. "Once upon
a time. the story goes, a pair of lovers, de-
voted they may have been, as lovers some
times are, and should always be, came out
from some trees or from the riverside in
the distance o.. horseback, and viewing it
from sss eisssaafisffb b sg Be .ghaE aGEEts,
and then take a view far and near of the
surroundings; for be it known there are
no other mountains, hills, or distinctions
Of any kind to obscure the vision to the
front or aft, 10 the right or left, as far as
eye can penetrate the clear light atmos-
Pbere Of this western country.
Finding point at the lowest crest of
the bill OrerWhieh they could pass to the
Summit, the lovers went.their way oyer
the rough path and finally reached the
crown Of the mountain.
From this breezy height, and with no
human beings to detraet their attention
or mar tie earnestness or the depth of
their meditatlons. the lovers passed from
point 10 point, from side to side, studying
every formation, examining every growth
asd marking every curiosity in all the sur
roundiDgs. And every now end then they
would stop TO lay plans and build ideal
structures Of their own future paradise.
The day vas bright and balmy, ard fleecy
clouds passing over head would hide the
sun and make his rays less felt, yet, with
q the day was delightful, and the sky
near the horizon wonderfully transparent.
Away to the right yonder the sprightiy
antelope are feeding on the side ola creek
IN froaf, nine or ten miles distant on a
beautiful plane and near where the town
81 Coleman now stands thousands of Buff
falo were feeding, while nearer by half,
and in the same direction, an immense
herd Of these frightened animals, stupid
enough, naturally, shifted the air and
started pell nell in south west course,
and in the direction Of the present city OF
Ballinger, what an instinct. Could it be
lhese animals, with a power beyond the
gods, shifted the scent of the approaching
train o. to-day, These were some Of the
hcaufifui visions OF that lover pair as they
sfrolled over and around the summit OF
the mountain. Bat they qnarreled, as low
eTs sometimes do, whether it be TO their
shame, or misfortune we know not, and
wandering near the steepest points on the
mountain, the youth, whose anger
rose high as the depths below, declared he
would no longer endure tho sting of oriti-
cism, the pang Of censure, and cried out,
III plunge from shis rocky hight and dash
my brains out The maiden cried in au-
ever. Nov dare you The lover youth
made a spring, a leap and over the preci-
pee bead foremos: he went to be dashedto
pieces on the rocks below:
The maiden never moved a step, only
bending forward asi to look oTerthe prec.
ipioe, but rigid ~ the eternal rocks she
l,5ealne. and while life was passing ont
the great teaTs flowed from her eyes, only
tole checked in their How on the cheek
that is now forever passive
Such Is the legend the go, d people Of
the valley now relate, and u its truthful
nee have DO 1eubt. Certain it is that
after the storm, the sunshine and th,
hla-fs q generations. there stands tn,
granite column on the crest Of the noun
tain, with the bent face peeriEg over th'
elf, and on the face Of the worn column
'. . biotch marking the tear drop is plainl!
tr2oeabie. FROM that day to this, thi
pom. on Santa Anna mountain is know
a. Lovers Leap"
/. Their arc many historical events con
uecsed With the history Of Santa Ann;